Hair transplants have high success rates — but the beauty of the result depends on the patient meeting the key requirements. Here are the four factors that decide candidacy, the factors that affect results, and the main contraindications.
The core requirements
1. A dense donor area
The donor area holds stable follicles not prone to baldness. It must be dense enough that harvesting won’t affect its appearance afterwards.
2. Good general health
No health problems that interfere with surgery or anaesthesia — such as anaesthetic allergy, or poorly controlled chronic disease like kidney failure, diabetes or heart disease.
3. No infectious disease
No infectious or autoimmune disease causing hair loss (such as alopecia), and no blood-borne disease such as hepatitis, leukaemia or HIV. The surgeon reviews your history and orders organ-function and blood tests.
4. Suitable age
Stability of the donor follicles is essential. Surgeons generally prefer candidates around 24, when follicles are more stable and loss has largely settled.
Requirements for women
Broadly the same as for men, but female genetic loss appears as scattered thinning, making a stable donor area harder to define — so fewer women are ideal candidates. Hormonal shifts (including pregnancy) can drive loss, so the cause must be confirmed and the necessary tests done first.
General requirements before surgery
- Realistic, specific cosmetic expectations.
- Permanent or genetic loss — not temporary shedding.
- Having tried other treatments first.
- Disclosing your full medical history.
- Understanding the instructions and how to manage side effects.
- Choosing a well-reputed surgeon with positive patient reviews.
Key information before a transplant — with Dr. Sherif Hegazy
Factors that affect results
- Following recovery instructions and protecting the follicles.
- Enough stable, dense donor hair with no breakage.
- The surgeon’s skill and technique — growth angle and direction.
- Modern techniques (implanter pens) that preserve more follicles.
- Age and general health, which govern healing and shedding.
Cost
Prices vary with technique and graft count. At Sherif Clinic they range from about USD 750 to 2,000. Choosing a good surgeon is what takes you to the best possible result.
Book an assessment to find out if you meet the requirements.
